Quarterback had his chance to be a role model but blew it

There are plenty of ways to describe Michael Vick these days. $130 million quarterback. Fallen NFL star. Defendant. Role model.

Elizabeth Davies

There are plenty of ways to describe Michael Vick these days.

$130 million quarterback.

Fallen NFL star.

Defendant.

Role model.

Like it or not, this Atlanta Falcons athlete — who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a dogfighting investigation last week — is the kind of guy that children throughout the country look up to.

Vick could have had a fairy tale ending. He left behind his life in a housing project to become a household name in the world of football. He signed a $130 million contract to be the starting quarterback on one of the top football teams in the country. He had endorsement deals with Nike, Kraft and Coca-Cola. He was ranked 33rd on the 2005 Forbes Top 100 Celebrities list.

Bottom line: Life was pretty sweet for this guy.

And yet, with fame and riches pouring in, Vick didn’t seem to know what to do with it. In 2006, he made an obscene gesture to booing fans during a Falcons game. This year, he found himself facing a variety of charges stemming from a dogfighting ring. He was said to have financed gambling activities for the ring, but the truly outrageous part was his alleged role in torturing underperforming animals.

I’ll spare you the details: I’m not a dog lover, but even I can’t stomach the stories. The things authorities say happened to these dogs were, at best, inhumane. I don’t imagine many people could even dream up such terrible ways to treat another living being.

For his part, Vick has lost his lucrative endorsements. He likely will spend time behind bars and surely will miss multiple football seasons.

The question remains: Is that punishment enough, or should the NFL ban him from the field once he’s served his time?

In general, I believe in giving rehabilitated criminals a second chance. I think they deserve the opportunity to make a living and pursue their dreams once their punishment has been served.

But Vick was held to a higher standard. In exchange for his widespread popularity, his millions of dollars and his celebrity status, he was expected to do more. Children throughout Atlanta and beyond looked up to Vick as an example of what a man should be, and he let them down dramatically.

Once he enters that guilty plea, Vick should not be given a second chance at the NFL, or a second chance to gain admiration from the crowds. His throwing arm — as good as it might be — should not be worth millions of dollars, because it’s connected to a person who failed to be a man.

The next generation needs to see that there are consequences for bad behavior, and that responsibility comes with popularity. They need to see that society demands more of its athletes: That to whom much is given, much is expected.

Above all, we deserve role models who fit the bill, who are as outstanding off the field as they are on the field.

Maybe those sound like harsh words for Michael Vick, but this isn’t about him anymore.

This is about us, and we deserve better.

Elizabeth Davies’ column runs Thursdays in People of the Rock River Valley

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